Mark your calendars, as the Hooley kicks off at 3:00PM on Friday September 1, and runs clean through the weekend, to end late on Labor Day, Monday, September 4.

The Great Irish Hooley live music line-up includes Elevation, a U2 tribute band; the Lisa Canny Band; and the Gary O’Meara Band.

Elevation Lead Singer on stage at Raglan Road

The Hooley will feature a full range of family-friendly entertainment, as the Raglan Road Irish Dancers are on hand to perform throughout each day. There will also be Celtic face painting Saturday through Monday. There’s no cover charge for this event.

If you’re anything like us, you’re already thinking ahead to your next Walt Disney World vacation. If you’re planning to enjoy the parks during the holiday season, you might be wondering what it’s like to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas in the World.

First of all: Lucky you! What a fun way to spend the holiday season — with so much to be thankful for in such a cool place!

As you can imagine, the crowds tend to swell at Disney during holiday weeks like Thanksgiving and Christmas as lots of Disney fans choose to celebrate their holidays in the parks. And Disney answers the call with tons of Thanksgiving spirit throughout many of their restaurants. In fact, most table service restaurants in the World will mark the holiday with special holiday menu items!

So whether you’re looking for a traditional meal, a gourmet twist on familiar favorites, or something that’s a complete departure from established customs, you’ll find lots of options for celebrating these special food days. Let’s check out a few of our favorites.

The Traditional: Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom

We all know it’s true. When you’re craving Thanksgiving dinner at Disney, there’s one spot you can always count on to deliver:Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square.

Liberty Tree Tavern Entrance

And we’re not just talking about on Thanksgiving Day or merely around Thanksgiving. You’ll find the traditional feast on the lunch and dinner menu, every day of the year. [Read more…]

The construction walls are finally (mostly) down at Disney Springs — WOO! So what better way to celebrate all of that wonderful parking and those beautiful vistas than by partying Labor Day Weekend away!

To that end, we’re sharing with you today that Orlando’s only Boutique Irish Festival is back this year, and it’s bigger than ever!

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at Disney Springs will host their Fifth Annual Great Irish Hooley this Labor Day Weekend. The four-day party, named for a traditional Irish social celebration, kicks off at noon on Friday, September 2, and runs late into the evening Monday, September 5. The event features the very best of Irish Music, Dancing, Food, and Drink. And best of all — there will be NO COVER CHARGE for the entire family-friendly event!

Check out all of the details below — you aren’t going to want to miss it!

Raglan Road in Downtown Disney

Tri Wishes Grand Irish Red and a Rack of Heaven

Food-lovers and craft beer fans are sure to love this part of the Hooley! [Read more…]

Atmosphere

If you’re familiar with the former Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island, then you know that Raglan Road used to front the Pleasure Island District, right next to the expansive parking lots.

Well, with the redesign of the entire area and the birth of Disney Springs, Raglan Road seems to have moved! Actually, it’s in exactly the same place…it’s just that Disney Springs has bubbled up right out front of the spot. 🙂

New Disney Springs Map — Key

New Disney Springs Map — Raglan Road is #36

So to get your bearings, you need to think of what’s around the restaurant now. You’ll find it across the bridge from Sprinkles. And of course, Morimoto Asia is right next door. [Read more…]

Located at Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs), the authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant continues its year-long celebration of its 10th anniversary. But, as always, they’re also celebrating the halfway mark to St. Patrick’s Day with their 4th Annual Great Irish Hooley.

The party will take place over Labor Day Weekend, beginning at noon on Friday, September 4, and will continuing through Monday, September 7.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be a collection of craft beers that Ireland’s Rye River Brewing Company has created just for the Hooley! Guests can choose from four limited-edition brews: Raglan Road Saison, Raglan Road Fruit Salad Weiss Beer, McGargles Jims CO2 Stout, and McGargles Francis Tropical American IPA.

Raglan Road’s 4th Annual Great Irish Hooley Will Be Held Labor Day Weekend, September 4-7

We’ll have a chance to taste all four at the beginning of the Hooley; be sure to stay tuned to learn more about them! They promise to pair well with Raglan Road’s menu, which features a mix of traditional and contemporary Irish dishes. [Read more…]

Orlando Magazine has recently announced its annual Dining Awards for 2014, and the Downtown Disney restaurant has taken the coveted top spot for Orlando’s Best Restaurant.

Writer Joseph Hayes credits Chef Kevin Dundon’s energy and menu influence with the success of Raglan Road. But it’s more than that, he says.

The restaurant, a series of faithfully restored bars and furnishings from ancient Old Country pubs, has the feel of a genuinely family-run restaurant (which it is). It gives Dundon a place to use traditional recipes and farm-fresh ingredients as a leaping point for new, satisfying and occasionally surprising ideas such as a killer twist on smoked haddock & Dubliner cheese dip or a wine-infused broth and seafood he calls ‘It’s not bleedin’ Chowder!’ The combination of New Irish cuisine, a pint of ale and a wink from a high-stepping Irish lass is hard to beat.

Keen Eye for Shepherd’s Pie

Chef Kevin received the news by phone while at home in Ireland, and expressed his gratitude to fans of the restaurant. “We’re very proud of this honor and want to thank [Read more…]